“”I felt it was important to let the Speaker know that going forward, we expect the Republican led House to draw the line against the tax and spend policies of the Democrat led Senate and White House, and to be a strong advocate for responsible spending cuts and effectively deal with an outrageously high federal deficit.” …

Perry seemed to be everywhere. He was honored as a “pro-life hero” by anti-abortion leaders and a “Hero of the American Entrepreneur” by small business groups. He attended events with Ohio, Alabama and Tennessee delegations, helped the Republican Governors’ Association and the Texas Republican Party raise money, and sought out Republicans from South Carolina, Iowa, Tennessee and Louisiana to thank them for aiding his presidential effort.

He chatted with conservative bloggers and ambled down “radio row,” gave interviews to right-leaning talk radio hosts including former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, and was a repeat visitor to Fox News. His aggressive social media presence was underscored by a “Google Hangout” Thursday evening with Texas GOP chairman Steve Munisteri.

Despite the state’s strong Republican leanings, Romney has shown little love for Texas in the days leading up to the primary. He’s only visited the state once and held private fundraising events rather than public rallies. His next planned visit — after the May 29 primary — will once again seek campaign funding in the metropolitan areas of San Antonio, Dallas and Houston. …

It’s too soon to tell how big a role Texas will play in the 2012 Republican presidential sweepstakes, but former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Lake Jackson are treating the upcoming primaries and caucuses as if their political lives depend on it.

The two hopefuls are feverishly working to stack the state convention in June with their supporters, a move that could help increase their influence should the nomination be unresolved by the time the party’s national convention rolls around in late August.

Texas’ primary elections won’t take place until at least May 29 because of the ongoing battle over the state’s redistricting maps, a San Antonio federal court announced Wednesday. “It appears based on …

Acrimony among elected Republican officials, the statewide Republican Party leadership and Attorney General Greg Abbott spilled into public Thursday as a bitter fight over whether to split the state’s primary elections rages on. …

Political observers attribute the growing Republican chasm over differing political interests.

“Perry, Dewhurst and the party all want to have the March 6 primary on its scheduled date. Assuming Perry is still in the (GOP presidential) race, Texas could be helpful to him,” said Cal Jillson, who predicted that turnout could drop by half in legislative and congressional races if they were moved to May primary.